The Makoko Children Development Foundation (MCDF) recently held its graduation and prize-giving day in Yaba, Lagos, even as the members stressed need for progress of waterfront children.

MCDF Founder and Director, Urban January Wheduto revealed that fifty pupils passed through the milestone this year, comprising twenty graduating from primary six to secondary school and thirty moving from nursery to primary level.

Speaking further, Wheduto disclosed that overall student enrolment dropped from 650 to 445 following the recent house demolitions that displaced several families in Makoko.

To him, ‘we are dedicated to providing free education to orphans and less privileged children in the Makoko community.’

Wheduto further stressed that offering free meals is central to keeping the pupils in school, adding there are plans to relocate the structure from the water to dry land and establish a healthcare facility for the children.

In his speech, Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development Mobolaji Abubakar Ogunlende lauded MCDF’s impact.

Represented by Suliat Anike Olaniyo, he added, ‘graduation is not the finish line; it is the beginning of a great journey filled with endless possibilities. To our dear children, never allow your background to determine your future. You are the future leaders of tomorrow, so believe in your dreams. See your education as the key, the best legacy, and part of who you are.’

On her part, a Board Member, Elizabeth Osayande recalled, ‘the school three years ago was catering for about 147 children, today, it is no longer 147; it is over 300 children that this young man is giving a lifeline. I want to encourage every one of us not to stop until we reach the end. Someone said today you are seeing a little child, but in the near future, we are going to see a president, we are going to see a doctor. Let us all come together and support this cause.’

On his part, High Chief Baale Shemede Emmanuel Ajaka of Makoko Waterfront praised Wheduto’s hard work and urged parents to enrol their children in schools.

He added, “I want to thank  Wheduto, what he is doing is not easy at all, and May God give him more strength. I also thank everyone who has been supporting MCDF. I urge parents to please support your children and support the school. Education is the best thing today, those who have not put their children in school, please put them in school so they can enjoy the future.’

On her part, National Coordinator of Concerned Parents and Educators Kemi Koleowo, representing the group founded by the late Yinka Ogunde, noted, “my charge to the students today is that they should continue to strive to be better. It is not everybody that has this kind of opportunity that you have. I go around, and I see a lot of communities where government presence cannot reach. So when we see this kind of effort being put together, it is so heartwarming, encouraging, and inspiring.”

The graduation featured student performances, cultural dances, poetry readings, and farewell speeches by Head Boy Awhansua Samuel and Head Girl Kenyeton Ambrazine.

A special presentation also came from JSS2 student Ateji Marphile on the importance of learning English

Expressing happiness with the students’ performance, Hardy Business School Representative Onome Agbi stated, “I can see that a lot of them are putting in the effort and it is showing. Do not get tired. Take the most of this opportunity that has been made available to you. Education actually is really powerful, and there is a lot you can do when you have education, so just do not give up.”